DEMAND JUSTICE FOR BUDDY!

We the undersigned urge the court in Denver, Colorado to give Steven Clay Romero, the man
charged in the dragging death on December 30, 2009 of a German Shepherd named Buddy behind his truck for three miles the maximum
penalty of three years in federal prison, $100,000 fine and one year probation for this horrific crime. Do not
let this crime go unpunished for the horrible death of an innocent dog. Given Mr. Romero's past criminal record,
we feel he is a menace to society and this dragging death is only the beginning of what could lead to future unimaginable
and tragic consequences.

Virginians for Animal Welfare

Alert 11/16/09 November Court
Watch

Short notice, but try to get to the jury trial
on Tuesday, 11/17/09, at 9:30 am in Gloucester. Defendants are John McGill and Melissa McGill.

There is also a trial that same day in Frederick County at 3 pm. Defendant is Linda
McLaughlin.

Try to attend the trial of Donald Morris in Hanover
County on Thursday, 11/19/09. Dog fighting is involved.

As
a follow up to the recent alert about King George County (Silent Witness - The Trial is Over) there will be action in King
George General District Court for Iris Hedrick on 11/18/09 at 10 am. It is possible a suspended sentence will be revoked.

There are two sentencing cases. In Sussex County, John Boudiette will be sentenced
on 11/18/09 at 9 am, and in Spotsylvania County, Robert Ward will be sentenced on 11/30/09 at 9 am.

Please check the day before with the clerk's office to make sure the proceeding is still
scheduled, and let the prosecutor know you will be there. Even if you can't attend, you can show your support with a
call or e-mail to the prosecutor.

Here is the list of cases
for November followed by details of each case, some with updates already available and entered.

Defendant: Kenneth Elwood SamuelsOriginal Charges:
(in General District Court)three Class 1 misdemeanor
charges under 3.2-6570 - cruelty to animals generally
(one charge has a 3/14/09 arrest; two have 3/17/09 arrests)two
Class 3 misdemeanor charges under 3.2-6504 - abandonment of animals
(one charge has a 3/14/09 arrest; one has arrest on 3/17/09)three
unclassified misdemeanor charges under 3.2-6554 - not disposing of
dead companion animal (one charge with a 3/14/09 arrest and two with 3/17/09
arrests)Current Charges: (in Circuit Court)one
misdemeanor charge of failure to obey court order - under 19.2-306Background: A notice in the Northern Neck News of 3/18/09 indicated a 21-year old Hague man was charged on a Westmoreland County
warrant with abandonment of an animal. In September, 2008, Kenneth Samuels and his family and dogs rented a home
without electricity or water; Mr. Samuels said the landlord was to help with these utilities. None having materialized,
Mr. Samuels moved about two miles away, but was only allowed to keep one of his dogs in the new location; he had four dogs.
With insufficient money for dog food, three dogs were kept in the original house, with virtually no water or food. According
to Tom Hamilton, Westmoreland animal control officer, a realtor found two dead dogs in that home on 2/3/09. When ACO
Hamilton went to the scene the next day, the bodies were gone, later found near the new residence of Mr. Samuels. Two
dog bodies were found in the trunk of Mr. Samuels's car, and the third dog was found in a dog carrier. Judge Wilkins
said that Mr. Samuels could have saved the lives of the dogs by calling ACO Hamilton to take the dogs; ACO Hamilton said it
is "normal procedure" to take in animals that cannot be cared for, and his shelter adopts such animals or transfers
them to a no-kill shelter.

Mr. Samuels was tried on 5/26/09. One abandonment
of animals charge was dismissed.However, Mr. Samuels was found guilty of three charges of failure to dispose of dead
companion animals, and two misdemeanor charges of general cruelty to animals. Mr. Samuels was charged for burial costs
($60.94 in restitution) and fines/court costs of $482.11.

He was also
found guilty on two charges of cruelty to animals, and given 90 days in jail, suspended, based on peace and good behavior
for the next three years. In addition, he was ordered to complete 50 hours of community service - work that would benefit
the shelter, but not allow Mr. Samuels to work with the animals.

On 5/26/09,
Mr. Samuels was prohibited from owning any companion animals in the future and was forced to give up the one dog still with
the family, the Judge saying he didn't trust Mr. Samuels's judgment to care for the dog.

Mr.
Samuels was to appear in Westmoreland County General District Court on 7/7/09 to show cause to Judge Wilkins for failure to
obey an order of the court, specifically regarding owning or possessing companion animals. Judge Wilkins was the Complainant;
two charges were filed on 6/17/09, a date after the trial was completed. Mr. Samuels did not come to court that day.
He was to be in court on 8/4/09, again addressing his failure to obey court orders regarding having an animal, and to be arraigned.
However, the case was continued from 8/4/09 to 9/15/09.

On 9/15/09, there
were two separate failure to obey court order counts. On one charge, Mr. Samuels was found guilty on 9/15/09, but he
immediately appealed the case. Mr. Samuels's appeal resulted in a trial scheduled for 10/22/09 in Westmoreland Circuit
Court, but on that day, Mr. Samuels pleaded guilty. He was sentenced to 90 days in jail with 84 days suspended, and
costs of $429.61.

Action on the second failure to obey count was continued to
11/3/09.anticipated action: hearingUPDATE: On 11/3/09, Mr. Samuels
did not appear in court, and the case became a "Fugitive File". There is now a warrant waiting to be served.

Defendant: Justin Michael BindelCharge: class 1 misdemeanor
- cruelty to animals - under 3.2-6570Background:Justin Bindel allegedly
beat a Chihuahua puppy. He was charged with a Class 1 misdemeanor of animal cruelty, a charge with a possible penalty
of 12 months in jail and a fine of $2,500. Mr. Bindel was arraigned on 4/17/09.

On
5/6/09, the Court found the facts of this case to be sufficient to convict; however, the Judge could dismiss the case in 6
months (the 11/6/09 court date that is on the online court records) if Mr. Bindel gets in no more trouble. Mr. Bindel
was assessed $201.00 in costs.

Commonwealth's Attorney Ray Robertson (8/19/09)
summarized the case: the Chihuahua was beaten by Mr. Bindel in front of his residence after the dog had wet the carpet
inside his home. Neighbors saw and reported the incident. On 5/6/09, Mr. Bindel was represented by the public
defender's office and appeared before a substitute judge, Ms. Lynn Lawson, who ruled there was sufficient evidence to convict,
but she took the case under advisement for 6 months on condition the defendant had no further trouble with the law, especially
in relation to abusing his dog. In August, 2009, a Rockingham County Grand Jury indicted Mr. Bindel (and one other person)
for the first degree murder of a former roommate, a crime that carries from 20 years to life in prison without parole.
In addition, Mr. Bindel was charged with the use of a firearm during the commission of a felony which carries an additional
3 years, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, which can net him another 5 years in prison. Mr. Bindel has
clearly violated the terms of the "advisement" received from Judge Lynn Lawson, and in addition to these new offenses
and his failure to pay court costs, it is assumed that when his case is reviewed on 11/6/09, he will be found guilty.
Charges on the murder and related charges are scheduled to be heard in the Circuit Court of Rockingham County on 11/30/09
when a jury is scheduled for a 5 day trial.

The Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney,
Kieran Bartley, provided (11/3/09) additional information after reviewing the case with Commonwealth's Attorney Ray Robertson.
The substitute judge, Ms. Lynn Lawson took Mr. Bindel's case under advisement 5/5/09 with instructions that if there were
"no problems" in the next six months, the charge would be dismissed. The murder charge and related charges
refer to events from February, 2009, and so Mr. Bindel's actions then took place before Judge Lawson became involved.
All that matters to the Judge on 11/6/09 is Mr. Bindle's behavior between 5/5/09 and the court date of 11/6/09. In addition,
Commonwealth's Attorney Bartley has not found any charges against Mr. Bindel since 5/5/09 in the General District Courts of
surrounding cites/counties. He believes it is doubtful that Judge Lawson will find Mr. Bindel in violation of his advisement
conditions for not paying the court costs of $201.00. It is possible the case will be continued because costs have not
yet been paid, but if no other charges in other jurisdictions are surfaced, the case may also be dismissed.action anticipated: case may be continued or dismissedUPDATE:
Because Mr. Bindel did not pay his court costs of $201.00, his case was continued until 12/2/09. That date is after
the murder trial of Mr. Bindel scheduled for 11/30/09 in Rockingham Circuit Court.

Defendant: Donna Marie RenkCharges: one Class 6 felony charge
- torture animal causing death - under 3.2-6570one Class 6 felony charge - animal cruelty, second offense in 5 years -
under 3.2-6570Background:Donna Renk faces animal cruelty charges
for abandoning two dogs. The owner of the property which Ms. Renk rented lives next door. He had not seen Ms.
Renk for over two weeks. As he was cutting grass, he noticed a bad smell coming from the house, and he could see many
flies and an animal crate. Officers entered the property and found the remains of two dogs. A warrant was issued
for her arrest, but Ms. Renk initially could not be located. She was found, arrested on 6/11/09, and arraigned on 6/15/09.
On 7/24/09, the charges were sent to the Grand Jury, and on 8/3/09 the Grand Jury indicted. The case is therefore now
in Circuit Court.

Counsel was appointed on 8/27/09. On 9/8/09, the Commonwealth's
Attorney and court-appointed counsel set a trial date of 11/9/09.action anticipated: trialUPDATE: Sr. Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney Edwin Booth reported on 11/5/09 that this case
will not go to trial on 11/9/09, but will most likely be rescheduled for January, 2010.

Prosecutor: Asst. Commonwealth's Attorney Russell Rabb 540-347-8684
fax: e-mail: Defendant: Michael
GibsonIssue: appeal of civil seizure/impoundment of animals - under 3.2-6569Background:This case has been reported in several earlier Court Watch Alerts. This entry will only deal with the current seizure
issue.

In June, 2009, concerned about the care being provided to a large number
of animals, warrants were issued to seize cats, dogs, birds, and a turtle. Mr. Gibson did not retrieve his animals.
Another warrant resulted in the confiscation of 18 horses.

On 10/1/09, a second
civil seizure hearing addressed the seizure of 20 of his horses, as Mr. Gibson had not come to reclaim his animals after the
first seizure. The court upheld the second seizure; Mr. Gibson had 10 days in which to appeal that decision, and needed
to post a $25,000 bond. Able to secure the $25,000 bond, Mr. Gibson appealed the seizure on 10/9/09 to the Fauquier
County Circuit Court. The next step is a hearing on the matter in Circuit Court. Note that this only addresses
the horses. All other animals found new homes.

NOTE:
Mr. Gibson is a former Animal Control Officer; he worked in Alexandria.

2 Class 1 misdemeanor counts of animal cruelty generally
2 Class 4 misdemeanor counts of inadequate animal care by owner
1 Class 3 misdemeanor count of pet shop not offering adequate careBackground:Ms. Cohan was investigated for running an unlicensed kennel and keeping the animals in poor health conditions after
police served a search warrant at her home on 6/27/08 and found 22 unlicensed dogs, including 8 puppies and some adults with
"open sores around the head areas, as well as dogs showing signs of infections and problems with their hips" according
to an affidavit from Southampton Animal Warden James Cooke. Cooke also said that he had visited the property previously
in the company of a state veterinarian and had noted problems with the animals.

A
report from 3/30/09 stated there was a dog with a dead chicken tied around its neck on the property. The owner, Ms.
Cohan, reportedly was punishing the dog for killing her chicken. The Sheriff's department was notified and Ms. Cohan
is reported to have removed the chicken. Further research determined that the dead chicken incident was considered separately,
is not part of this action, and that the defendant is sometimes identified as Patricia Kinlaw, although in other cases as
Patricia Cohan-Kinlaw, making it difficult to track her misdeeds.

Charges have
been resolved and reported in earlier Court Watch Alerts. In this case, the remaining issue is the animal cruelty charge
(a class 1 misdemeanor) of which Ms. Cohan was found guilty, given a one year suspended sentence with an administrative hearing
scheduled for January 26, 2010. Ms. Cohan will be in court because of a failure to comply with the sentence, so this
will be addressed before the January 2010 date.

This show-cause failure to comply
charge hearing was continued from 10/20/09 to 11/10/09.action anticipated:
show cause hearingUPDATE: continued to 1/26/10

Defendant: David W. RobinsonCharges: 2 misdemeanor Class 1 charges
under 3.2-6571 of promoting/engaging in
animal fighting
2 misdemeanor Class 1 charges under 3.2-6570 of animal cruelty generallyBackground:On the evening of Thursday, 4/16/09, a neighbor of David Robinson called the police, hearing the chaos of animals
fighting at Mr. Robinson's home. The police found at least 22 pit bulls. Four of the dogs were injured and taken
to a veterinarian for care. One dog was found dead, and the others were taken into custody by Animal Control of Henrico
County. Since then, another dog in the custody of Animal Control has died.

The
police report all the dogs were kept in the fenced back yard on chains or in pens. At least one dog broke free and started
the fighting. Police found many items associated with dog fighting including a portable dog ring, breaker bars, a pulling
sled and harness, and a bag of medical equipment and dogs.

Ultimately,
of the survivors, 12 pit bulls were euthanized. Seven were considered as potentially adoptable, with two considered
ready for adoption and the remaining five needing some training prior to adoption.

Defendant
David Robinson was a Corporal for the Richmond City Sheriff's Office, his job including law enforcement at the Richmond City
jail. Mr. Robinson has been dismissed.

Mr. Robinson was arraigned on 4/17/09.
The trial that was anticipated to be held on 6/9/09 was continued to 8/3/09, as the Commonwealth's Attorney's office said
investigation was continuing. The case was re-set for 9/24/09, but it was subsequently continued to 11/12/09.anticipated
action: trialUPDATE: Instead of holding a trial, all four charges
against David Robinson were Nol Prossed, and several days later, new charges were filed. Those charges: 8 felony
counts of dog fighting and 26 misdemeanor counts (14 animal cruelty, 8 animal neglect, 2 rabies certificate, and 2 no license).
Status date will be on 12/10/09 in Circuit Court.

(not confirmed)Defendants: Melvin Boone Cheri Campbell
Anthony Eldridge
Kelvin Thompson
Adam Webb Charges: class 1 misdemeanor
- animal cruelty - under 3.2-6570Background:Five officers of the
Virginia Department of Corrections were charged with animal cruelty involving fondling - engaging in sexual contact with a
dog used in training, and allegedly videotaping two such incidents. The officers charged are Melvin Booth, Cheri Campbell,
Anthony Eldridge, Kelvin Thompson, and Adam Webb. NOTE: Originally, Adam Webb was to have
a different court date, but all five ended up being processed together on 11/13/09.

All
five officers were training at the Academy for Staff Development in Goochland County, working with service dogs. They
were charged in Powhatan County because the kennel is located there at the Powhatan Correctional Center.

Mr. Boone worked at the state prison in Sussex County but is no longer employed there.
The Richmond Times-Dispatch of 10/27/09 reports that Mr. Boone is no longer employed by the state, although the Department
of Corrections declined to say whether Mr. Boone was terminated or left on his own.

Ms.
Campbell works at the Nottoway Correctional Center..Mr. Eldridge worked at the Nottoway Correctional Center but
is no longer employed there.

Mr. Thompson works at Green Rock Correctional Center
in Chatham.

Mr. Webb also worked at the Nottoway Correctional Center.

In addition to the animal cruelty charges against the group, Mr. Boone and Mr. Thompson also face failure to appear
charges and that case will be heard on 11/20/09 (see entry below on that date).action
anticipated: possible trialUPDATE: All five defendants had their animal cruelty charge Nol Prossed.

Judge: Robert D. LaneyDefendant: Patti
WheelerCharges: felony charge of destruction
of property with intent - under 18.2-137 - sent to

Grand JuryBackground:The case with Patti Wheeler as defendant has
been covered in several previous Court Watch Alerts. Ms. Wheeler has appealed four animal cruelty convictions.
Judge Laney certified a felony charge of destruction of private property (the house Ms. Wheeler rented and which is now condemned)
to the Grand Jury.anticipated action: Grand Jury proceedingsNOTE:
Proceedings of the Grand Jury are not open to the public.NOTE: On 11/9/09, Asst. Commonwealth's
Attorney Robbie Fierro, who is prosecuting the case against Ms. Wheeler, said the one felony and five misdemeanor charges
will be tried on 1/11/10 in Chesterfield Circuit Court. He noted that at this time, Ms. Wheeler has not been formally
indicted on her felony charge, but it is expected that will happen when the Grand Jury meets.

Defendant: William Travis WilliamsCharge: one class 6
felony charge - promote/engage in animal fights - under 3.2-6571Background:After a two month undercover interstate investigation, William Travis Williams of Marshal, NC, was arrested on
an animal fighting charge. On 9/19/09, Bedford County Animal Control and Bedford County Deputies, working with the Humane
Society of the United States (HSUS), seized five pit-bulls. The dogs were in cages at the Best Western Motel in Bedford,
VA. The investigation shows the dogs were transported to Virginia to engage in dog fighting in Virginia and West Virginia.
Mr. Williams was arrested after receiving $6,500.00 for transporting and selling the dogs to undercover agents disguised as
dog fight coordinators from Virginia. If convicted, Mr. Williams could face one to five years in prison and up to $250,000
in fines. The dogs were being held at a Bedford County shelter. Mr. Williams was arraigned on 10/15/09.action
anticipated: preliminary hearing

Defendants: John McGill
Melissa McGillCharges: John McGill appealing 21 convictions (7/23/09) of Gloucester General District Court, all

misdemeanors with various dates of offense; includes 7 horse
at large charges, 12

duties of ownership charges, and 2 contempt
of court chargesMelissa McGill
appealing 28 convictions (7/23/09) of Gloucester General District Court, all

misdemeanors with various dates of offense; includes 6 horse at large charges, 15 duties

of ownership charges, and 3 contempt of court charges

Background:
There is limited information on this case. It is not clear, for instance, whether the horses at large and charged to
Mrs. McGill are the same horses attributed to Mr. McGill. It is not known, for instance, specifically where the horses
went, any damage they may have caused, how they were captured and returned, where the horses are now, and how many horses
in total are owned by either/both McGill.

Note that Melissa McGill is the daughter of Robert Warden,
also of Gloucester, and also involved in court action currently regarding horses. In addition, it is reported that Mr.
and Mrs. McGill are estranged.action anticipated: jury trial

Prosecutor: Ross Spicer, Asst. Commonwealth's Attorney540-665-6383 fax:
e-mail: Defendant: Linda L. McLaughlinCharge: Class 1 misdemeanor
- cruelty to animals generally - under 3.2-6570Background:After
receiving two complaints about the welfare of cats (on 5/12/09 and 5/13/09), Frederick County authorities rescued approximately
200 cats from the home of Linda McLaughlin. Animal Control Officer Megan Moreland served a search warrant on 5/12/09,
executed because of possible animal cruelty. Initially 193 live cats and seven dead cats were found. According
to Frederick County Maj. Robert Eckman, the dead cats were being eaten by the other cats. He described it as "a
horrendous case of neglect. It's just unfathomable." The strong ammonia smell made it very difficult for
authorities to rescue the cats from the trailer, and the place was described as uninhabitable. Animal Control Officer
Moreland had previously talked with Ms. McLaughlin regarding care of the cats. Ms. McLaughlin was not at her home on
5/12 as she was in a hospital in Prince William County at the time. The cats were taken to Frederick County Esther Boyd
Animal Shelter where they were initially quarantined. On 5/26/09, a civil seizure hearing upheld the seizure.
This case was to go to trial on 10/6/09 but was continued to 11/17/09.action anticipated: trial

them involving dogs; the tenth involves a pot-bellied pig Background:In May, 2003, John Boudiette lived in Suffolk, VA, and pled guilty to animal cruelty charges involving more than
100 Labrador retrievers which were kept in squalid conditions on his property. Mr. Boudiette was forbidden to ever again
own dogs in Suffolk. It is understood he then moved to North Carolina before returning to Virginia, attempting to move
with many dogs to Southampton County, VA. Southampton County would not issue a license to Mr. Boudiette due to the number
of dogs he had, but when he moved to Sussex County at least three years ago, he was able to get a license.

During the summer of 2008, complaints were filed regarding the manner in which Mr. Boudiette
kept his dogs; complaints were from potential buyers and from a business (funeral home) directly across from Mr. Boudiette's
operation. Several living near Mr. Boudiette were concerned that he was feeding his dogs only bread and water, as he
several times brought an open trailer of bread that was kept outside in the weather and which took several days to unload.
Mr. Boudiette's facility was raided on 3/23/09 by the Office of the State Vet (OSV), the State Police, and the Sussex Sheriff.
Seventy-two dogs and a pot-bellied pig were seized.

On 4/6/09, Mr. Boudiette
unsuccessfully appealed the seizure of his animals. Significant help was provided to the dogs by LFCP (Lab Rescue of
Chesapeake Peninsula) in addition to pounds in Sussex, Isle of Wight, and Surry. Mr. Boudiette was indicted by the Grand
Jury on 5/5/09, was arrested on 5/14/09 and was charged on that date with 10 counts of animal cruelty in connection with the
seized animals (the 72 dogs and one pot-bellied pig).

On 5/18/09 there
was a hearing regarding attorney status with another hearing to follow on 6/10/09, also regarding attorney status. A
trial date for a bench trial was set for 9/16/09. At trial, Mr. Boudiette was convicted on all ten misdemeanor counts.
He will be sentenced on 11/18/09.action anticipated: sentencing

Defendant: Iris Marie HedrickCharge:
show cause - revoke suspended sentenceBackground:Authorities went
to the home of Iris Marie Hedrick on 1/2/09 in response to an anonymous tip. There they found dozens of animals, dead
or severely malnourished. Ms. Hedrick faced multiple animal cruelty charges because sheep, goats, pigs, ducks, chickens,
and dogs were found in poor condition on her property.

Many charges were filed,
and Ms. Hedrick was sentenced on 10/23/09 after pleading guilty in King George Circuit Court. (Information about this
case has appeared in previous Court Watch alerts.)

However, in 2007
and two years before this case was initiated, Ms. Hedrick was found guilty of animal cruelty and sentenced to 180 days in
jail, but that sentence was suspended. Because of the current case, Ms. Hedrick has been re-arrested and was to in court
on 8/5/09 to be sentenced on the suspended 6 month sentence. However, that 8/5/09 hearing was continued to 11/18/09.action anticipated: possible revocation of suspended 2007 sentence

Defendant: Donald T. MorrisCharges:one Class 6 felony charge - dog fighting activity - under 3.2-6571 one Class 6 felony charge - torture animal causing death - under 3.2-6570Background:Donald Morris was arrested on 5/19/09 and charged with promoting dog fighting activity, the first charge listed
above. More than a dozen dogs were taken from his home. He was told by a judge in late May that he must forfeit his
dogs and pay $15,000 for their care. It is reported that Hanover County prosecutors believe Mr. Morris was breeding
pit bulls to fight.

The second charge (above), torture animal causing death,
was filed on 6/4/09, the second arrest of Mr. Morris in relation to this case.

On 8/20/09, the case was continued to 11/19/09 with trial to take place then.action anticipated:
trial

Defendant: Nancy Sorrell MackallCharges:
20 Class 4 misdemeanor charges - failure to bury/cremate - under 18.2-510 10 Class 1 misdemeanor
charges - cruelty to animals generally - under 3.2-6570Background:Nancy
Sorrel Mackall had both a rescue for polo ponies and a breeding operation, but was no longer actively involved. Hospitalized,
Ms. Mackall called a neighbor, asking the neighbor to check on her animals. The neighbor went to the Mackall farm and
found horses and dogs without food or water. The neighbor left food and water and contacted animal control. Animal
control officers found a grisly scene when they arrived on 8/6/09. Deputy Sheriff Tim Murphy said there were 20 horses
on the farm with 10 of them in fair condition, but the other 10 were in "dire need" of help. In addition,
animal control officers found dogs confined to crates with no care, and a horse trapped in a trailer with no food or water;
because of the amount of manure in which the horse was standing, the horse appeared to have been trapped there for a significant
time. In addition, Deputy Sheriff Murphy said 20 dead horses were found in "various states of decomposition".
This resulted in animal control officers seizing 10 horses and three dogs.

A
seizure hearing was held on 8/12/09, awarding the 10 horses and two of the three dogs to the county. It also resulted
in a prohibition against Ms. Mackall having horses for the next two years, and to have only the one dog for that same two
years. She must also pay transportation, medical and boarding costs for the seized animals, and must also pay someone
to care for the animals remaining on her farm. One horse is at the Orange County Animal Shelter; the rest are in foster
homes until adopted.

Ms. Mackall was arraigned on 8/21/09. She was to be
tried on 10/16/09, but the trial was continued until 11/20/09. action
anticipated: trial UPDATE: Ms. Mackall died 11/3/09 at Capital Hospice in Arlington. The
Orange County's Commonwealth Attorney, Diana Wheeler, said the charges against Ms. Mackall will be dismissed. She had
transferred ownership of 10 of the horses and made restitution to the county for veterinary care for the seized horses.

(not confirmed)Defendants: Melvin
BooneKelvin ThompsonCharge: contempt/failure to appear under 19.2-128Background:See details above in the 11/13/09 entry for five Powhatan defendants; the
entry includes Melvin Boone and Kelvin Thompson.

Melvin Boone and Kelvin Thompson
were to appear in Powhatan County General District Court on October. They did not appear in court on those days (10/2/09
for Mr. Thompson and 10/30/09 for Mr. Boone). Both now face contempt of court charges as a result.action
anticipated: arraignment on failure to appear charge

under 3.2-6570.1one class 4 misdemeanor - owner providing inadequate care
- under 3.2-6503Background:Background is not known at this time.
Ms. Cohan (AKA Patricia Cohan-Kinlaw and Patricia Kinlaw) has faced other animal cruelty charges including some charges currently
pending.action anticipated: arraignment

Defendant: Robert James WardCharge: two Class 6 felony
counts - carnal knowledge - animal - under 18.2-361Background:Robert
James Ward of Spotsylvania County was arrested 5/18/09 on charges of bestiality after admitting to his family he had been
"fooling around" with his German shepherd. Mr. Ward has been registered with the Virginia State Police sex
offender registry since 2005. Mr. Ward was arraigned 5/19/09 in Spotsylvania County General District Court.

1st Sgt. Liz Scott of the Spotsylvania County Sheriff's Office said an exam by a veterinarian
revealed the female dog's anal glands were swollen. A PERK kit, usually used to test for forcible sex crimes on humans,
was completed on the dog.

In the Spotsylvania County General District Court on
7/7/09, the bestiality charge was certified after a judge heard evidence. The Grand Jury indicted Mr. Ward on 7/20/09,
and the case moved to the Spotsylvania County Circuit Court. When Mr. Ward was arraigned on 8/6/09, a trial was set
for 10/1/09.

On 10/1/09 in Circuit Court, Mr. Ward pleaded not guilty
to both charges. However, one charge against Mr. Ward was dismissed because a defendant cannot be convicted of the same
offense twice, and so the prosecutor, Tom Shaia, kept only the ongoing charges (i.e., 12/1/08 through 5/18/09 dates).
Mr. Ward was tried on that charge, found guilty, and scheduled to be sentenced on 11/30/09.action anticipated:
sentencing

Virginians for Animal Welfare

PHILADELPHIA - A cat found wrapped in duct tape in a North Philadelphia yard has a new home.

Pennsylvania Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals spokeswoman Liz Williamson says the gray tabby, nicknamed
"Sticky" by animal welfare workers, has been adopted. Williamson says the family who took the cat wishes to remain
anonymous.

The cat was found Sept. 22, wrapped neck to tail in silver duct tape. She was mildly dehydrated and
had to be sedated while the tape was cut off.

Nineteen-year-old James Davis faces charges of cruelty to animals
and possession of an instrument of crime in the case.

Davis is in custody awaiting a psychological evaluation.
He faces up to two years in prison and a minimum $1,000 fine if convicted.

On June 28th Odenville Al. Babyboy slipped out of the safety of his loving
home .He wondered down the hill & found some small children & played with them ,then proceeded to go into a neighbors
yard were he was shot,Only to die minutes later in the street befor babyboys owners could get to him. A lawsuit has
been filed in the District Courts Of Saint Clair Co.All new info on case will be posted in the Justice4babyboy group,thank
you

OUR LOVE FOR OUR DOG WAS MORE THAN SOME WILL EVER KNOW IN A LIFE TIMETHE DAY WE DECIDED TO GET ANOTHER
BASSET WAS A SPECIAL DAY FOR US.HE WAS THE SWEETEST MOST LOVING PET I HAVE EVER OWNED.WE WATCHED HIM GROW ,THE BOND BETWEEN
HIM & BECCA WAS SO SWEET,SHE LOVED HIM WITH EVERYTHING SHE HAD.WE STILL HAVE A BIG HOLE IN OUR HEART THAT CAN NEVER BE
REPLACED.EACH AND EVERY DAY WAS A GIFT BECAUSE WE HAD HIM TO SHARE IT WITH,HE WAS WELL BEHAVED AND LOVED EVERONE THAT COME
TO VISIT.OUR GUEST WERE ALWAYS GREETED BY BABYBOY AND MADE THEM FELL WELCOME. HE WAS A BREATH OF SUNSHINE WHEN YOU SEEN HIS
SWEET FACE AND THOSE DROOPY EYES,SO MUCH LOVE IN HIS KANINE HEART FOR EVERYONE.HE LOVED HIS MOMMA SO VERY MUCH AND WAS ALWAYS
BY HER SIDE!EVERY DAY WAS A SPECIAL GIFT AND WE WERE SO LUCKY TO HAVE HIM AS PART OF OUR FAMILY.FOR ON THE DAY HIS LITTLE
LIFE WAS TAKIN WE ALL WERE IN TOTAL SHOCK AND I WILL FOREVER BE CHANGED.PEOPLE DONT THINK ABOUT THE HEART ACHE THEY COULD
CAUSE OTHERS WHEN THEY TAKE A LIFE OF A LIVING CREATURE OR HUMAN BEING. FOR IF THEY HAD KNOWN THIS GRIEF THEY WOULD HAVE NEVER
DONE IT. THE PAIN NEVER GOES AWAY IT WILL ALWAYS REMAIN.LIFE IS SHORT AND WE MUST CHERISH EVERY MOMENT AS IF IT IS OUR LAST.THANK
GOD MY BABYBOY IS IN HEAVEN WAITING FOR ME THERE FOR ONE DAY I WILL GET TO SEE HIM .THANK YOU TO ALL OF YOU THAT HOLD
BABYBOY IN YOUR HEART. YOU WOULD HAVE ALL LOVED HIM SO VERY MUCH!HE IS A LITTLE ANGEL NOW THAT WATCHES OVER US IN SPIRIT~R.I.P.~OUR
SWEET BOY~BASSETHOUND

We deeply regret all errors. Kinship Circle’s research, including
media stories and PETA’s official letter, indicated that the city attorney (Douglas J. Powley) would prosecute
this case. Mr. Powley himself has responded to letter senders:

“Attorney J. Jeffrey Holland of Sharon Center
has been designated by the Summit County Humane Society to prosecute this case.” Douglas J. Powley, Chief
City Prosecutor

=================================================================8/18/09: Put Petland Out Of The Bunny Business & Jail Killer**There are 2 separate sample
letters in this alert**Before its removal from Facebook, the caption under this photo read, "A
normal day at Petland." Former Akron, Ohio employee Elizabeth Carlisle is charged with two counts of animal
cruelty for drowning two wounded rabbits.

I understand Petland closed its Akron,
Ohio outlet after employee Elizabeth Carlisle bragged about drowning two rabbits on her Facebook page. I implore you to take one more step: Please end rabbit sales at all Petland stores.

As you are aware, Carlisle not only
drowned rabbits, but also dangled their dead bodies on either side of her grinning face for an Internet photo. In Facebook comments, Carlisle says she posed for her manager's camera "swearing at [the rabbits] to just hurry
up and die..."

Do workers like Carlisle represent Petland's euthanasia policy and overall mission "to
make a difference" in the communities it serves? Carlisle claims the rabbits had been "attacking and eating
each other." On Facebook she describes wounds such as a missing eye, broken jaw and lower-body paralysis. Where
were other employees as these injuries occurred over a span of time?

If the rabbits had been responsibly tended
to in the first place, this merciless killing might not have happened.

Animal health and safety seem problematic
for Petland, despite statements about "the best health care practices [for] the pets in our care." Petland
ought to focus exclusively on pet supplies and counseling, while promoting the adoption of homeless animals in
cooperation with local rescue groups.

As a minimum effort -- considering the negligence and cruelty in these killings -- Petland should terminate rabbit sales at all stores. Thank you for your valuable time and consideration.

Sincerely,

=============================================================#2. SAMPLE LETTER: TO AKRON PROSECUTOR GET A FORMATTED LETTER (WORD DOC): info@kinshipcircle.orgEasily modify letter. Copy/paste it into an email or print letter to fax or mail. =============================================================SOURCE OF INFORMATION / REFERENCE LINKS=============================================================

Please particularly see the Iris Hedrick case on 7/23/09. You may recall this case from earlier
this year; the picture that remains in my mind is of the little pigs frozen in the ice as they tried to survive. Will
you attend the trial?

(four with arrest date of 5/30/09 and one with arrest date of 5/14/09)
four Class 4 misdemeanor charges - failure to dispose of dead dog -

under 3.2-6587 one Class 4 misdemeanor charge - failure to get kennel license

- under 4-35
one Class 6 felony charge - destruction of property with intent - under

18.2-137Background:On 5/14/09, 60 animals (56 dogs and four dogs) were removed from a home in Chesterfield County
which Patti Wheeler rented. It is not clear whether Ms. Wheeler lived in that house, or if only the animals were there
continuously. Ms. Wheeler turned custody of the pets over to Chesterfield County authorities, and the animals were taken
to the Chesterfield Animal Shelter. On 6/1/09, Chesterfield County Police Department said Ms. Wheeler is also charged
with failure to dispose of dead companion animals, failure to obtain a kennel license, and destruction of property.

Ms. Wheeler
was arraigned on 6/3/09. The felony destruction of property charge was to be heard separately from the animal charges,
but all charges will now be heard at the same time on 7/14/09.anticipated action: trialUPDATE:
case continued until 8/12/09

vaccination - under 6-88 Background:Court Watch was told this case was underway, and that there is likely
some family connection between the defendant, Stephen Bennett, and someone in the Newport News sheriff's department.
To date, no additional information is available other than the court records on line.anticipated action: disposition/sentencing/revocation
hearingNOTE: incomplete information UPDATE: continued to 9/23/09

death - under 3.2-6570Background:Authorities went to the home of Iris Marie Hedrick on 1/2/09 in response to an
anonymous tip. There they found dozens of animals, dead or severely malnourished. Ms. Hedrick faced multiple animal
cruelty charges because sheep, goats, pigs, ducks, chickens, and dogs were found in poor condition on her property.
Included were baby pigs which froze in the mud where they struggled and died. Many of the animals were in pens within
30 feet of the house, and some living animals were eating dead ones. Veterinarians saved some of the animals, but others
were euthanized. Animal control officers and volunteers worked with the veterinarians to save as many as possible, and
many were placed with volunteer groups.

At a hearing on 3/11/09 in King George County's General District Court, Ms. Hedrick waived her right
to a preliminary hearing on the felony charges, and the case was certified to the Grand Jury, which heard the case on 4/9/09.
On that April date, Ms. Hedrick was indicted on charges that she severely neglected a variety of animals, resulting in 16
offenses charged against her. On a hearing on 5/7/09, a trial date was set for 7/23/09.action anticipated:
trial

7/23/09 Thursday10:00 a.m.Suffolk General District Court150 N. Main Street; Suffolk,
VA 23434Clerk: Brenda C. BrownPh: 757-514-4822 Fax: 757-925-1790
E-mail: bbrown@courts.state.va.usProsecutor: Commonwealth's Attorney Susan H. WaltonPh: 757-514-4383 Fax:
757-9223-2253 E-mail: swalton@oca.city.suffolk.va.usDefendant: Camilo B. DelfinadoCharges: four Class 1 misdemeanor counts
of cruelty to animals generally filed under 3.2-6570Background:Because
of a complaint, Suffolk animal control officers went to property in Suffolk owned by Camilo B. Delfinado of Virginia Beach.
Found were four dead goats. Necropsy showed that one goat died of starvation; the other three goats died of a combination
of starvation and parasites. Twenty or 30 other goats were found along with many chickens. Animal control officers
reported there was no food or water for the animals, although there was food stored on the property. Debris on the property
was an additional reason for continuing the investigation. Mr. Delfinado was arraigned on 6/3/09.anticipated
action: trial

Ohio Man Faces Jail Time for Killing Dogs

COLUMBUS, Ohio (July 8) - An Ohio firefighter faces jail time
and may lose his job for shooting his two dogs to death rather than pay to board them while he went on a cruise.

Columbus firefighter David P. Santuomo, 43, took
Sloopy and Skeeter to his home's basement, suspended them from a pipe near the ceiling and fired at least 11 shots from a
.22-caliber rifle fitted with a homemade silencer, Franklin County Prosecuting Attorney Ron J. O'Brien said.

Santuomo then
wrapped the carcasses in plastic and dumped them in a trash bin behind Firehouse 27, where he worked, O'Brien said.

"This is pretty heinous," said Cheri
Miller, spokeswoman for the Capital Area Humane Society, which carried out a search warrant in Santuomo's home. The humane
society has limited law enforcement powers in Franklin County.

Santuomo pleaded guilty in June to two misdemeanor counts of improperly killing a companion animal
and a felony count of possession of a criminal tool. Santuomo had fashioned a makeshift silencer by taping a 2-liter soda
bottle to the end of the rifle. The incident happened in December.

Miller said appalled fellow firefighters turned Santuomo in to authorities.

"There were reports that he was bragging about this,"
she said.

Santuomo initially
told investigators the dogs had ingested antifreeze and he killed them to put them out of their misery, Miller said. However,
after necropsies showed the dogs were not poisoned, the firefighter admitted shooting them because he couldn't afford to board
them, she said. Public records show Santuomo has twice filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy protection and underwent a home foreclosure
in 2003.

The Columbus Division
of Fire has received more than 2,000 outraged e-mails and calls from the public, said Battalion Chief David Whiting, the department's
spokesman.

"People are not very happy," he said. "We had people say they should do to him what he's done
to the dogs. A lot of people want him fired. They don't want him coming into their house. They're worried about their animals;
they're worried about their kids. They'd just as soon let their house burn down if he shows up."

The Division of Fire has concluded an internal investigation,
including interviews with Santuomo, Whiting said. The report now goes to Fire Chief Ned Pettus Jr., who will schedule a disciplinary
hearing. Punishment, if any, could range from a verbal reprimand to firing, Whiting said. With appeals and possible arbitration,
the whole process could take a month or more, he said.

In the meantime, Santuomo is working in the division's fire alarm office, "where he is not dealing
face to face with the public," Whiting said. If he remains employed with the fire division, he will return to his regular
assignment, though that could bring a new set of challenges, Whiting added.

"If someone did this that worked next to you at work, how would you feel about
working with him?" Whiting asked. "We'll cross that bridge when we come to it. ... There are a lot of options."

Santuomo has only minor disciplinary matters,
such as tardiness, in his record, Whiting said.

Santuomo was sentenced to 90 days in jail,
to be served in 10-day increments over the next two years. He also has to pay $4,500 in restitution, perform 200 hours of
community service, stay away from companion animals for five years and write a letter of apology to be published in the local
newspaper and the International Association of Firefighters magazine, the humane society's Miller said.

Santuomo's attorney said that his client is remorseful over his
actions and that people need to temper their outrage. "It's the same old story. They couldn't care less about people
and they love animals," lawyer Sam Shamansky said.

The firefighter, who could not be reached for comment, has no criminal history other than traffic
violations, Shamansky said.

"It,
of course, was a heinous act, and it's an act for which he's sorry and has accepted responsibility," Shamansky said of
the dog killings. "He's been punished appropriately, and I think it's now time for the public to practice what they preach
and show a little forgiveness and mercy. Maybe that might be a novel approach."

5/19/09: Trophy
Hunters To Prey On Delisted WolvesOn 1/14/09, an Interior Department rule under the Bush Administration removed gray wolves in the western Great Lakes and northern Rocky Mountains regions from the federal endangered species
list. Then Obama froze and seemingly overturned this decision. In round 3, new Interior Secretary Ken Salazar
once again stripped wolves of their protected status.Photo: National
Geographic, Joel Sartore

***KINSHIP CIRCLE CANNOT GUARANTEE ALL EMAILS WILL WORK*** During campaigns,
recipients may change or disable their email addresses. Emails from government, corporate, or institute websites may
be incorrect.

=============================================================GET A FORMATTED LETTER (WORD DOC): info@kinshipcircle.orgEasily modify letter. Copy/paste it into an email or print letter to fax or mail. =============================================================

Dear
Secretary Salazar and Acting Director Gould:

I applaud the Obama administration for reviewing many Bush-era rules
that harm environment and wildlife. Unfortunately, science-based progress froze when Interior Secretary Ken Salazar
okayed the removal of gray wolves from the Endangered Species list in the Northern Rockies and western Great Lakes.

For more than 1,000 wolves between Greater Yellowstone and Glacier National Park, this means open season. In
fact, Idaho Gov. C.L. Butch Otter told reporters his state is "really counting on a robust population of trophy
animals" to gun down.

With breeding season in full swing since April, pregnant females and pups are among those caught in the crossfire. Please don't relinquish wolf management to Montana, Idaho and parts of Washington,
Oregon and Utah, along with Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin.

Wolves are key to thriving ecosystems. When
the Bush/Cheney administration delisted them, a federal judge reinstated all safeguards. Once again, wildlife/environment
groups are in court to challenge this ill-advised decision. We cannot stand by as the largest wolf slaughter in the
lower 48 United States unfolds.

Less than a year ago, 11 conservation groups argued (and won) that wolf populations had not rebounded. Wolf numbers still don't add up to biological recovery status. Yellowstone populations
have dropped 27% in the last year. Moreover, delisting wolves does not consider their long-term survival.

At
the very least, I urge suspension of this reckless plan until it undergoes the type of scientific scrutiny the Obama
administration advocates.

*DISCLAIMER: The information in these alerts is verified with the original source.
Kinship Circle does not assume responsibility for the accuracy of the information or for the consequences of its use.
Nothing in this email is intended to encourage illegal action in whatever country you are reading it in. Kinship
Circle does not engage in, nor support, any form of harassment or unlawful activity. Nothing in this alert serves to
promote such conduct.

It's
Finally Here! A Time for Justice for a Pet Goat Who Looked into the Eyes of Evil On Friday, May 15th, alleged
suspect Timothy Douglas Brown, makes his plea. Will you be there with us?

If it weren’t for the actions of Angel, Pasado's Safe Haven's cruelty investigator, this day would never
have come. And if it weren’t for you, the necropsy, the time, gas, and effort that made the prosecution of three suspects,
this little animal’s life would be forgotten. YOU and Pasado’s – are an amazing team. Celebrate
this small victory with us. Friday May 15th - 8:30AM Alleged suspect, Timothy Douglas Brown Pleas before a Pierce
County Judge Histor y You will recall PasadoAlerts that told the story - A neighborhood pet goat was led
by his collar into the woods outside a small town south of Seattle. Three men tied him to a tree. He stood - looking into
the eyes of evil. They shot him with bows and arrows, time after time. He suffered as they walked away; he took his last breath,
alone. Animal control wouldn’t respond to calls so neighbors called Pasado’s Safe Haven. We are the only animal
shelter that investigates animal cruelty in the Northwest and there was a job to be done this August night. Angel, Pasado’s
investigator, arrived and got to work; she was this innocent animal's only voice. Eight months after lifting the lifeless
body from the dirt, her anger is still palpable. "The fear and confusion he must have felt will forever leave an impression
in my mind," Angel says. "Of all the cases I have worked, this one touched my soul in a profound way." After
carefully gathering evidence from the scene, Angel and her posse, carried the goat through the deep, dark woods for over and
hour so a necropsy could be performed. It is you who help pay for "animal autopsies" to help prosecutors
make their case. It is you who pay for what Angel did next: tracking down witnesses into the morning hours,
collecting all the evidence, drafting the final reports and turning over hours of work to the sheriff.

Angel, and all of us at Pasado’s,
waited anxiously for weeks. Would all of this work make a difference? Would this animal’s suffering matter? The
answers were ‘yes’. The sheriff took Angel’s evidence seriously. They referred the case to the Pierce County
Prosecuting Attorney. The very men Angel reported as the perpetrators of this heinous crime were charged with Animal Cruelty
in the First Degree.

She has done you and your gifts to
Pasado's Safe Haven proud. She went the distance for this animal. Please join her and many of Pasado's Safe Haven's supporters
on the steps of the courthouse tomorrow. Pasado's Safe Haven will be there - and we hope you will join us!
We'll bring banners. You make any kind of sign you wish. Friday, May 15th at
8:30AM Pierce County Superior (CDPJ) 930 Tacoma Ave S. Room 250 | Tacoma, Wa map and directions If you can't make it, help me help Angel continue this vital work. Please make a donation
of any amount – everything helps! Thank you so much. Click HERE to Donate. For more information on our current cruelty cases, go to www.pasadosafehaven.org

Susan Michaels, Founder - Pasado's Safe Haven

"Pasado's Safe Haven has been
rated a 4-Star Charity for a record five years in a row. According to Charity Navigator, the nation's pre miere independent
evaluator of charities: "Only 4% of all charities in the U.S. have received at least 5 consecutive 4-Star evaluations.
This indicates that Pasado's Safe Haven outperforms most charities in America in its efforts to operate in the most fiscally-responsible
way possible. This "exceptional" designation from Charity Navigator differentiates Pasado's Safe Haven from its
peers and demonstrates to the public it is worthy of their trust."

Please please pass along this sad warning to
fellow dog owners...Be carefulwho you trust to care for your precious animals.

Last weekend (April 10th, 2009), we were going out of town to
visit family for Easter so I arranged for my 2 dogs to stay at the posh Dude Ranch Pet Resort in Glen Allen, VA.

They
offer a dog pick-up service, so they arrived to pick up my 2 dogs, but they only brought one dog cage. We put one dog
in the cage in the back seat of the Scion, and the other in the back.

About
15 minutes after the kennel drove away with our pets, I got a phone call that made me feel sick- the owner said my dog Zeus
somehow opened the back window and jumped out
- he was missing and probably hurt. We cancelled our vacation, and frantically raced to the road where they said they
lost him. The kennel employee driving didn't know where lost him
(which makes us very mad), so we didn't know where to look. We looked through fields, woods, yards and still could not find
him by 10pm. We went home and made lost dog signs on posts and made a ton of flyers. At sunrise, we went back
out to look optimistically, but were terrified at the thought that he was hurt and alone in the woods. We knew we might
never find him.

After filling mailboxes with lost dog flyers and putting signs on
the side of the road, we still couldn't find him. We asked a pack of bikers if they had seen a lost dog running around
but they all said no. Slowly, one biker pedaled back and told us that he had seen our dog, about a half mile up the
road in a ditch. We burst into tears and walked that dreadful half mile only to see that it was our sweet Zeus. We
collapsed on the side of the road when we saw him - he was twisted and broken and dead. He had never been hurt
before, so it was just so shocking to see him dead and unmoving. We are so sad about his death, and we are very angry
at the Dude Ranch Pet Resort. I believe the driver did not latch the back door, so it flew open and my dog fell out
to his early death, but they told us that he opened the window himself. In any case, it should never have happened,
and we are crushed and so sad and we just wish we could have Zeus back. I will never use the Dude Ranch Pet Resort again.

I'll
be on Channel 6 WTVR at 5pm and 6pm talking about it. The
reporter talked to the kennel manager who said that Zeus' death isn't newsworthy, that dogs die all the time and that no one
cares about this. We are very upset...

Sad regards,Sarah Cole

Rest in peace, Zeus.2002-2009

KINSHIP CIRCLE PRIMARY / PERMISSION TO CROSSPOSTNEW WAY TO SEND COMMENTS!http://www.kinshipcircle.org/letter_libraryRecent sample-letter alerts in Kinship Circle's Letter Library now contain an "EMAIL THIS LETTER" feature. Just click and an addressed, ready-to-go message opens in the email software
on your computer. All you do is sign and send. This feature is always below the sample letter, on our website.

***KINSHIP CIRCLE CANNOT GUARANTEE ALL EMAILS WILL WORK*** During campaigns, recipients may change or disable
their email addresses. Emails from government, corporate, or institute websites may be incorrect.

A spotlight shines on Canada
as it readies to host the 2010 Winter Olympics. Unfortunately, the Games also shed light on the world's largest marine
mammal massacre. I urge government officials and 2010 Olympic organizers to publicly oppose the commercial harp
seal hunt.

You have an opportunity to show responsible stewardship of Canada's wildlife and environment.
Please use your influential status to help end the annual slaughter of some 300,000 seals off Canada's East Coast.

You don't need to be an "animal lover" to know this yearly onslaught is wrong. In fact Canadian Senator
Mac Harb introduced a bill to ban seal slaughter in Canadian waters. The Harb Seal Bill is a first-ever attempt to recognize global disapproval of a dead-end industry. Belgium, the Netherlands, Slovenia, Croatia, the United States
and Mexico already prohibit seal products. The European Union's pending trade ban on all non-aboriginal seal goods
is progressing through European Parliament.

Images of sealers dragging alert animals with boathooks tarnish the
character of the Vancouver Games. Hunters commonly hook seals without verifying unconsciousness or death. A team
of impartial veterinarians once concluded 42% of examined seals were still awake when skinned.

A hunt with
little financial relevance shouldn't be allowed to damage Canada's reputation. In Newfoundland, where 90% of sealers
reside, seal-related revenue constitutes a small percentage of the economy. Sealers fish year-round. Killing seals
generates a minute portion of their incomes.

As all eyes focus on Vancouver and Canada, please advocate an end
to the non-sustainable and ethically indefensible harp seal hunt.

*DISCLAIMER: The information in these alerts is verified with the original
source. Kinship Circle does not assume responsibility for the accuracy of the information or for the consequences
of its use. Nothing in this email is intended to encourage illegal action in whatever country you are reading it in. Kinship Circle does not engage in, nor support, any form of harassment or unlawful activity. Nothing in this alert
serves to promote such conduct.

Virginians for
Animal Welfare

Alert 4/20/09 Dog Beating by Police Officer - We Need You!

There will be a trial on Wednesday, 4/22/09. It is important
that as many as possible attend.

1.
Come. Details are below. This is not a pleasant case.

2. If you can't come, please let the prosecutor, Ms. Shannon Manning, know
you want the law vigorously enforced, and convey the same to the Chief Deputy City Attorney Allen Jackso n. Contact
info is below.

3. Please give
Animal Control Officer Angie Gromlich your thanks and support for standing up to Mr. Brown, and for being the complainant
on this case! Contact info is below.

5. Encourage
the Daily Press reporters who have already written about this case to be in court on 4/22/09 at 1:30. The reporters:Sabine Hirschauer - 757-247-4536Peter Dujardin - 757-247-4749

6.&nb
sp; What would you like to do about the statement attributed to Rashad Brown that it is OK to beat dogs and
children and he knows this to be so because he is a police officer for Newport News.

7. If you do not agree with the action of Judge Alfred O. Masters who returned
the dogs to Mr. Brown, his office number is 757-926-8876. Judge Masters is a Traffic Court Judge for Newport News.

8. Please contact the Attorney General, William Mims,
and ask why someone who breaks the law is allowed to be a police officer. Attorney General Mims is at 804-786-2071;
his mail is mail@oag.state.va.us

4/22/09 Wednesday1:30 p.m.Newport News General District Court2500 Washington Avenue, Newport News, VA
23607Clerk: Faye L. RogersPh: 757-926-8811 Fax: 757-926-8496 E-mail:Prosecutor: Asst. City Attorney (Ms) Shannon Manning Ph: 757-926-8416 Fax:
757-926-8549 E-mail: SManning@nngov.comandChief Deputy City Attorney Allen JacksonPh: 757-926-8416
Fax: 757-926-8549 E-mail: AJackson@nngov.comComplainant: Animal Control Officer Angie GromlichPh:
757-595-7387 Fax: &n bsp;
E-mail: AGromlich@nngov.comDefendant: Rashad BrownCharges: two Class 1
misdemeanor charges of animal cruelty and tortureRashad Brown, a Newport News police officer since 2005, is charged
with two counts of animal cruelty and torture. On 3/8/09, animal control officers were called to Mr. Brown's apartment
to investigate a complaint, and when they arrived, Mr. Brown admitted beating his two dogs with a hard plastic stick.
During that visit, one of the dogs, a lab, is reported to have shown aggression toward the animal control officer, Angie Gromlich,
despite several requests from her to confine the dog. Mr. Brown is reported to have stated that in Virginia, it is not
illegal to beat your dogs or your children, adding that he knows this because he is a policeman. Animal control officers
seized both dogs and brought them to a veterinarian for examination. Abrasions and bruises on the dogs were "consistent
with being struck by an object and kicked", Ms. Gromlich wrote. Subsequently, Judge Alfred O. Masters, Jr. returned
the dogs to Mr. Brown. Crystal Brown will apparently also be a participant in the proceedings, being charged with two
Class 4 misdemeanors (failure to obtain licenses and failure to get rabies vaccinations).Mr. Brown is the sixth police
officer from Newport News facing criminal charges since 8/08. Action anti cipated: trial

Thank
you.

Lillian Clancy and Don Marro

Virginians for Animal Welfare

KINSHIP CIRCLE
PRIMARY - PERMISSION TO CROSS-POST AS WRITTEN6/24/08: Nepal's Monkeys
Sold To Animal ExperimentersEMAIL
kinshipcircle@accessus.net FOR WORD
DOC OF A FORMATTED LETTER.Easily
modify letter and copy/paste it into an email or print out to fax or mail.

*Kinship Circle cannot guarantee
validity of email addresses. During campaigns, recipients may change or disable their email addresses. Emails from
government, corporate, or institute websites may be incorrect.

===========================================================SAMPLE LETTER -- This letter is prepared to inform you about the issue.
Try to shorten and personalize your letter before sending.===========================================================

I kindly ask the government of Nepal to acknowledge global concern about its breeding and export
of monkeys for use in biomedical experimentation. Please halt any shipments of rhesus macaques and enact laws to protect
your treasured wildlife.

As you know, India outlawed overseas sale of rhesus monkeys in 1977 in response
to ghastly radiation experiments on animals considered sacred by many Indians. As a result, Western labs want Nepali
monkeys -- and have opened the door to let other foreign researchers exploit Nepalese species.

Experimentation
upon primates has failed to produce tangible data for AIDS, Alzheimer's, stroke, cancer, and other diseases. Still,
electrodes are lodged in the brains and spinal cords of monkeys. Seizures and infections are artificially induced.
Toxic substances are injected. Babies are forcibly separated from "breeding" mothers.

It is irresponsible
to promote animal research when so many animal-free methods now offer data more relevant to humans. Findings from distressed
animals do not result in accurate extrapolation to humans. Though primates possess physiological and psychological
instincts as intricate as our own -- lab variables such as pain, injury, confinement, loneliness and repeated handling
generate misleading data.

In Nepal, Hindus celebrate monkeys as a reincarnation of Lord Hanuman. Buddhists
feel the killing or mistreatment of any animal is wrong. Monkeys are an integral thread in Nepal's rich natural and
cultural tapestry. They live alongside humans in the temples or roam mountain forests. Inside a lab, a monkey's
life is defined by metal bars, cement floors, terror and pain.

Kinship
Circle Animal Disaster Aid Network was enlisted by Iowa Agriculture Dept/State Veterinary Response to send volunteers for animal
flood victims. During disasters, we are on phone, fax, and Internet 24/7. The cost to keep our tiny staff on-call is
immense. Anydonations are greatly appreciated at this time. Kinship Circle is a 501c3 nonprofit organization. All contributions are tax-deductible.

An Ohio legislator has proposed a bill to ban all pit bulls from the state. Owners would have
90 days to surrender their pit bulls which would then be killed by the dog warden.

Click here for more information and how you can help stop this
medieval, cruel legislation. Read why breed bans don’t work and what will help to reduce bites and improve community
safety.

Alert5/8/08 The Dogs vs. Junior Horton

PLEASE CROSS POST!!

Junior Horton will be tried on Friday, 5/16/08, at 1pm in Carroll County.

If
there ever was a day to speak out for the animals, this is it.

We need you to come to the trial.

This
is where it all starts – with the Mr. Hortons of Carroll County, Virginia, and in places like his puppymill there.

Now
it is time to say to every citizen of Virginia and every elected official in Virginia that you will not tolerate animal cruelty
and flagrant violation of the law.

If you aren’t angry about what this man has done,
let this refresh your memory:

Background:

On 11/1/07, Carroll County Animal Control authorities
were contacted by Virginia Partnership for Animal Welfare and Support (VA PAWS) concerning a puppymill located in the Town
of Hillsville.A team of animal control professionals along with a veterinarian visited the property and
found 1,080 small breed dogs of various ages in several locations on the property, including buildings and cages.The owner/operator of the puppy mill, Lanzie Horton, Jr., had a license to keep 500 dogs.He consented
to the surrender of 980+ dogs on that date.Source:Carroll County Animal Control
Press Release

There was an outpouring of assistance from a network of shelters to aid in this rescue operation.Volunteers from the Washington region joined others from Florida and New York who streamed to the rural town of Hillsville.“It’s been incredible,” Carroll County Administrator Gary Larrowe said.Larrowe
had declared a state of emergency after hundreds of dogs were found living in filthy cages.Officials said
they think it is the largest suspected puppy mill ever found in the state.Source:Petloverstips.com,
11/11/07; Houston Chronicle, 11/11/07; inRich.com, 11/11/07.

Horton
surrendered to authorities on 1/31/08 and was released on $5,000 bond.Source:WHSV,
Harrisonburg, VA News.He was charged on 1/31/08 with 14 counts of animal cruelty (punishable by fine
of $2,500 and 1 year in jail on each charge), 25 counts of animal neglect (punishable by fine of not more than $500 each count)
and one count of failing to obtain a license tax for 125 unlicensed adult dogs (punishable by fine of $250).The
charges accuse Horton of depriving dogs of necessary food, drink, shelter or emergency veterinary treatment, and of failing
to adequately house, feed, water, exercise or care for animals in his possession.Source:The Roanoke Times, 2/2/08.

What can happen:

Mr.
Horton is charged with 14 counts of animal cruelty, and each count is punishable by a fine of $2,500 and a year in jail.If found guilty of all 14 counts, that certainly should get the attention of Mr. Horton and all the other Horton Wannabees
in Virginia.

And do you know what has happened since?

Mr. Horton surrendered over 980 dogs, letting others
pick up the tab for his flagrant violation of the law as they fed, cared for, and provided veterinary care for that incredible
number of dogs.

And are you ready for this?

Mr. Horton is still in business, still selling dogs.

This case broke in
November and here we are, 6 months later, still waiting for justice to be meted out on behalf of the dogs.

And
after many shelters and rescues in Virginia and beyond spent over a quarter of a million dollars providing medical care and
shelter to dogs from the Horton puppymill.

Remember this and the Bland County fire (the Schmucker case) are the reasons you all worked
so hard and were successful in passing HB 538 – Del. Orrock’s puppymill bill.Now we need to
you come to the trial.We want a crowd – a large crowd!!

Please don’t say
it’s too far, or you have to work.Many of you can make the drive, and many of you can take a day
away to do this. It is that important.

We know about the cost of gas, and if any of you can’t
attend because of gas cost, let us know and a gas fund will be established, or just call it the tax deduction to VAW (Virginians
for Animal Welfare) that it is.

Under any circumstances, get your email machine out and start sending to as many as you can,
and tell others, in Carroll County or elsewhere, to do the same.This isn’t a Carroll County problem.It’s a Virginia problem.No, it’s an American problem.

And this is hardly
the way Carroll County wants Virginia and the rest of the country to think of it.

Let Carroll County officials
know the animal welfare community across the US is watching, and Carroll County is on the radar screen whether it wants to
be or not.

Let the people who run Carroll County know that you want Mr. Horton convicted and sentenced to the
max – no token fines, no little slaps on the wrist, no more continuances – just do it and convict him, put him
out of business, and prevent him from having any further commercial involvement with dogs.He deserves
no less.

Here are the contacts, and you needn’t be clever or long-winded.Just say
you fully expect Mr. Horton will be severely punished if convicted, and you expect nothing like this will ever happen there
again.

Please
also contact the Commonwealth Attorney for your own county (see your county/city website) and ask them what they suggest you
do to draw attention to the Horton case, and ask what they will do if puppymills are found in your own county.

Please
contact the State Veterinarian and ask him how he and his staff are working to eliminate puppymills in Virginia.Ask nicely but ask exactly what they have done to expedite proper implementation of Virginia law with the Horton case
and other puppymills in Virginia.

Please
contact the Animal Control Officer for Carroll County, Terry Woods, and ask what he may need to do his job and make sure the
law is enforced, particularly with the Horton puppymill, but also generally in Carroll County.

A long
way to drive for some of you, many contacts for each of you to make, but doing this is why we are all involved.This only gets better if everyone gets involved.You now have a chance to make something happen.Grab the chance and do it.

*Kinship Circle cannot guarantee validity
of email addresses. During campaigns, recipients may change or disable their email addresses. Emails from government,
corporate, or institute websites may be incorrect.

===========================================================SAMPLE LETTER -- This letter is prepared to inform you about the issue. Try to shorten and personalize your
letter before sending.===========================================================urces for animal disaster victims +
companion animal campaignshttp://www.kinshipcircle.org/disasters

COMPANION ANIMAL CAMPAIGNS5/12/08: K-9 Killers Go To TrialEMAIL kinshipcircle@accessus.net FOR WORD DOC OF A FORMATTED LETTER.Easily
modify letter and copy/paste it into an email or print out to fax or mail.

TWO MIAMI-DADE POLICEMEN KILLED
THEIR K-9 PARTNERS, IN SEPARATE CASES:

As you are aware, Officer Brown is accused of deliberately starving his K-9
partner Dynasty, a 4-year-old bloodhound. Sgt. Cockfield fatally kicked his German shepherd, Duke, during K-9
training exercises. He allegedly jerked and battered Duke until the dog became unconscious.

I respectfully
ask that both offenders receive the maximum incarceration and fines allowable by law. Please assure Brown and Cockfield
acquire permanent criminal records and undergo psychological evaluation and counseling. Both men ought to be barred
from personal or professional interaction with animals. Lastly, convicted animal abusers should not fulfill community
service orders at an animal shelter, where they're exposed to vulnerable animals and youthful volunteers.

According to the investigation in Officer Brown's case, Dynasty weighed a robust 66 pounds in January 2007.
By the following November, she perished at 33 pounds, with hollow eyes, bald patches and a wounded paw. Dynasty's
necropsy exposed acute malnutrition and dehydration.

Sgt. Cockfield reportedly fell into a "fit of rage"
when Duke barked during obedience drills. The dog succumbed to a "lethally timed heart-disrupting kick delivered
by his handler," the Miami Herald stated. Cockfield's blow to the heart resulted in Duke’s excruciating
and immediate death.

Brutal kicking and prolonged starvation do not qualify as "discipline." I call
upon the justice system to recognize the gravity of violence against animals. Criminologists view the viciousness of
an act, regardless of the victim's identity, as a forerunner to more violence. Even police officers must be
subject to penalties commensurate with their actions.

Animal cruelty is a key trait in the American Psychiatric
Association's criterion for conduct disorders. The FBI red flags animal abuse when profiling homicidal criminals
and their potential for recurring violence.

Moreover, police officers are entrusted to protect the public. Both
accused men display utter lack of judgment in volatile or frustrating situations. Their actions should serve as
yardstick to measure probability of repeat offenses. Please inform me of any progress in these very disturbing cases.